Overview
The National Operations Manager (NOM) is a newly created, high-profile leadership role within the Environment Agency (EA). They will lead the National Operations Centre (NOC) and the nationwide incident response staff, anticipating, assessing, mitigating and responding to varied and complex incidents and risks, carrying out statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and adhering to Cabinet Office best practice.
Responsibilities
* Lead the Command, Control and Communications of multi-disciplined incident response and the effective deployment of mobile response assets. Translate strategic and tactical priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives and provide briefings for senior leaders, including Government and partners, to fulfil public and environmental protective duties.
* Gather intelligence and develop situational awareness to provide a deep understanding of threat, capability, strategy and political nuance. Direct investigative work, information analysis and intelligence development, and oversee the production of intelligence products, technical papers and risk assessments for various audiences (Executive Directors, partner organisations, Government/Ministers).
* Support the Executive Director of Operations with operational risk management, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of technical and political issues and cross-government coordination. Serve as one of the EA’s single points of contact for high security classification levels and be suitably vetted to represent the EA at COBR meetings.
* Support the evolution of National Operations Centre capabilities and embedding them in the business. Responsible for delivering senior Incident Management & Resilience portfolios of work as directed.
Team and purpose
You’ll be part of a team of six NOMs, reporting to an accountable Deputy Director within the Incident Management & Resilience Directorate alongside 400 colleagues.
* Plan for changing risk: Make the biggest impact by being ready for the greatest risks
* Collaborate to inspire action through partnership: People take action to reduce the impact of incidents
* Respond to the climate emergency: Deal effectively with frequent and complex incidents
Experience and skills
Essential Criteria
* Experience of incident management, leading/improving a fast-paced operational delivery service, managing competing priorities, high user expectations, and resource constraints.
* Analytical skills to evaluate data from various sources and identify benefits/risks to make well-considered judgments and decisions.
* Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, translating strategic and tactical priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives, and shaping culture and expectations of how teams work.
* Represent the function in internal and external forums, including meetings, committees and panels.
* Inclusive leadership experience, modelling values to drive a high-performing culture with governance, risk management, productivity and positive people outcomes.
* Experience delivering successful change and continuous improvements, working collaboratively with stakeholders and building strong relationships.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience operating in confidential environments, handling sensitive intelligence.
Contact and additional information
Flexible hours are available through blended home/office working. Travel is required with occasional overnight stays, and attendance at our Bristol office. Shift working is required, including earlies/lates/weekends/on-call.
How to Apply
Please provide the following:
* An anonymised CV containing your job history and key achievements – maximum 3 pages.
* A Personal Statement concisely explaining your motivation for applying and evidence how you meet the Essential Criteria and competencies: Leads People, Takes Decisions & Solves Problems, Influences & Persuades Others, Focuses on Efficiencies, Innovation & Quality – maximum 2 pages.
We will hold a briefing call on 15/09/2025. Interviews are in person in Bristol w/c 13/10/2025. Further details are in the NOM Information Pack. Any questions contact IMX@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Role specific license requirements:
* Recognised professional incident management command training, such as JESIP Multi-Agency gold incident command management (MAGIC) or equivalent.
Role specific professional membership requirements:
* Membership of a relevant professional institution, such as UK Resilience Academy, Emergency Planning College, CIWEM, ICE, or Royal Geographical Society.
Equality and inclusion: The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns and offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for candidates with disabilities.
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